Add the listing customers see on Google

A Google Business Profile is the free listing for your business on Google Search and Maps. Create one profile for each real location. If Google already has a listing for you, claim that listing. A second profile for the same place can get the listing suspended.

Customers can find the profile after Google verifies it.

What you'll need

• A Google sign-in you control. A business email is a good choice if you are creating the Google Account now.
• Your public business name, category, phone number, and website
• The address customers visit, or the cities and areas you serve if you go to the customer
• About 15 minutes, plus Google’s verification review

Create or claim the profile

1. On a computer, sign in to the Google account that should own the profile.
2. Go to Add your business and select Add your business to Google. You can also start from business.google.com.
3. Enter your business name. If your business appears in the suggestions, select it and claim that profile. Do not type a new name for a listing that already exists.
4. If Google says someone else has already verified the business, request ownership. Do not create a duplicate.
5. Search for the business category that best matches what you offer, then select Next.
6. Say whether customers can visit you:
   • Yes — you have a staffed location during business hours. Enter the address, or place the map marker, then continue.
   • No — you travel to customers. Enter the service area (cities, postal codes, or other areas, up to 20). Keep the area within about a two-hour drive of where you are based unless your business truly serves farther.
7. Enter the phone number and website for that location. Use the number customers should call, not a distant call center, when you can.
8. Select Next, then Finish.

Create only one profile for the area a service business covers. Chains and businesses with several locations need a separate profile for each location, managed by someone authorized for that location.

Verify the profile

Google chooses the verification methods. You cannot pick a method Google does not offer. Common options are video, phone, text, email, or a postcard with a code.

1. Review the name, address or service area, phone, and category before you request a code.
2. Select Verify now when you are ready, or Verify later if you need to fix details first.
3. Follow the on-screen steps for the method Google shows.
4. After you submit, Google reviews the information. That review can take up to 5 business days.

If you verify by postcard, enter the code from that postcard on the profile. Codes expire after 30 days. Editing the name, address, or category after you request a postcard can invalidate the code. Do not request a second code unless you need a new one. A new request cancels the code already in the mail.

If something looks wrong

Your business is already on Maps. Search for the name and city on Google Maps. If you see Claim this business or Manage now, use that. Select I own or manage another business only when the result is the wrong place.

You do not show an address to customers. During setup, answer No to a location customers can visit. If a verified profile still shows the address, edit the location and turn off Show business address to customers.

Google’s own steps are in Sign up for Business Profile and Verify your business on Google.

Next: invite Campaignly

When you can open the profile, invite Campaignly to Google Business Profile. Use the Campaignly email we sent you.